UNDER THE OAK TREE

"Y-You make it sound as though I go around causing trouble!" Maxi sputtered. "If anything...I am the one solving them."

Gabel, seated on a marble chair and carving a piece of wood with his dagger, came to her defense. "Indeed. Considering her ladyship's contributions, your appraisal of her is rather unjust."

Ursuline shot Gabel a frosty glare. "Her disregard for her own safety is the problem! In any case, you must bear with the discomfort of now, my lady. There may still be monsters about."

"Sir Kuahel assured me there were no more monsters."

"The Temple Knights serve the church, my lady. You mustn't believe everything they say," Ursuline replied. "Moreover, there may be other forces after you as well. Openly or not, your golem run has been a subject of discussion among the feudal lords. We must keep our guards up until our return to Anatol."

Maxi's face grew somber. While it seemed unlikely that she would face trial for her golem run, it had undeniably branded her as someone to be watched closely.

"When can we...return to Anatol?" she asked sullenly.

Blowing wood dust from his skillfully carved lark, Gabel replied, "We will likely remain in Balbourne for the duration of the victory celebrations. His Holiness seems determined to use this opportunity to mollify public sentiment and win the support of the nobles. He has been holding daily banquets for the lords in the hopes of fostering harmony among the Seven Kingdoms. He's also opened a swordsmanship tournament in honor of Wigrew. It would be an insult to him if Sir Riftan were to leave mid-celebration."

That meant they were stuck here for at least a few more weeks. Maxi glanced gloomily at the flower beds, where a colorful array of buds were beginning to bloom.

All too quickly, the season had transitioned to early summer. The air was hot and humid, and the trees were lushly adorned with darker green leaves instead of delicate emerald shoots. An inexplicable sense of anxiety rose in her chest. What if they had to wait another season to return home?

Maxi turned her gaze beyond the garden, catching sight of the basilica's dome, rising above the green shrubbery. Even today, Riftan was likely meeting with the feudal lords of the various kingdoms. A sudden irritation filled her. It felt like she was spending less time with him now than during the campaign. When would they finally have time for themselves?

After irritably kicking small pebbles on the trail, Maxi's attention was caught by a group of five or so men leading horses out of the palace stables.

She stopped to observe them. The regimented movements suggested they were soldiers. After loading their luggage onto the saddles, they headed toward the back of the palace. Maxi's eyes widened upon recognizing Kuahel Leon among them. Could they have found another dragonian?

Turning to Ursuline, she asked, "Where do you think...they are going?"

"I'm afraid I have not received any report," the knight mumbled, narrowing his eyes.

Maxi's eyes glinted with curiosity as she turned back to the Temple Knights. "Shall I go inquire? After all...I have been meaning to thank Sir Kuahel for his help last time."

"Help?" Ulyseon interjected angrily. "What on earth do you mean, my lady? Are you forgetting that he appeared out of nowhere to interfere when I was trying to capture the monster alive?"

"Regardless...it was Sir Kuahel who slayed the monster that tried to abduct me."

"Even if he had not, I would have-"

Leaving the fuming Ulyseon behind, Maxi quickly made her way along the trail. The Temple Knights had already reached the rear gate and were slipping out of the palace, one by one.

Maxi hastily cut across the courtyard, Kuahel, sensing her approach, turned away from instructing the gatekeeper. He wore plan gray armor beneath a black robe. On his back was a longbow, a quiver of arrows, and a chain bola. As usual, his expression was unreadable.

"Do you have business with me?" he asked.

"I was out for a walk in the garden and saw you leaving the stable...so I thought I would come and say hello."

Kuahel glanced behind her at the line of knights. "You must have a lot of spare time," he remarked with a cynical smile.

Ursuline quickly restrained an angry Ulyseon as he stepped forward.

Ignoring them, Maxi forced an awkward laugh. "But you seem quite busy, Sir Kuahel. Are you...going on a long journey?

Kuahel nimbly mounted his horse, pointedly ignoring her question. Maxi looked askance at the knight before her expression turned serious as a sudden thought struck her.

"Have the monsters regrouped?"

"Fear not, Lady Calypse. That has not happened," Kuahel sighed. "My men and I are heading east to track down the remaining dragonians."

Maxi's eyes grew wide. They were embarking on another mission so soon after returning from a campaign?

"B-But the victory celebrations are still going," she said, flustered. "It would seem odd if the heroes were absent. Wouldn't it be wiser to wait-"

"There's no need for more than one hero," the clergyman said flatly, pulling his hood over his head. "Your husband will do an admirable job in the role."

He then steered his horse toward the gate. Maxi was left speechless at the man's calmness. It had only been a few weeks since the return from a grueling war. Was he not troubled by being dispatched on another mission so soon?

As Maxi gazed at the departing Temple Knights, lost in thought, Kuahel Leon glanced back over his shoulder. Maxi involuntarily recoiled.

After a brief, inscrutable look, the clergyman stated, "I suppose goodbyes are in order. Please tell Calypse I hope he remains in one piece until our next encounter."

Maxi's face hardened at his words, which sounded almost like a curse. Any fleeting admiration she held for the Temple Knights vanished instantly.

Fuming, she retorted sharply, "Y-You should be more concerned about yourself!"

A faint smile briefly tugged on the man's lips. Looking away, the clergyman issued a foreboding farewell.

"Until next time, then."

With that, he urged his horse into a gallop and swiftly rode off. Watching the Temple Knights disappear into the distance, Maxi silently prayed they would never cross paths again.

***

Riftan scanned the carvings on the wall. The marble walls bore the effigies of the twelve knights who had sworn allegiance to Darian the Monarch. On the altar below stood nine black urns that emanated a peculiar energy. Riftan deduced that they contained each knight's relics, excluding those who had vanished after the empire's founding.

As Riftan studied them, a sense of unease compelled him to look away. At that moment, the high priest, walking a few steps ahead, pointed to a room at the end of the hall.

"Please step inside."

Upon entering, Riftan found a man standing in the dimly lit space, staring up at the altar. The man's back was to the door. Slowly, he turned around.

"Welcome," said the pope, his deep voice echoing faintly.

Riftan strode over and knelt on one knee before him. The pope wordlessly extended a sinewy hand.

Respectfully kissing the back of it, Riftan spoke in a restrained voice, "I greet the Lord's representative."freew ebnove l.com

The pope nodded with satisfaction. He lightly patted Riftan's shoulder, signaling him to rise. "How does it feel to step inside the most sacred sanctum of the Seven Kingdoms?"

"I am honored beyond words."

"Hah. Your face suggests otherwise," the pope chuckled.

While the pope laughed, Riftan regarded him warily. He could not fathom why he had been summoned to such a place.

As if sensing his misgivings, the pope offered an impish smile. "You needn't be so tense. I brought you here so we could talk in private. No one would dare eavesdrop in the mausoleum. So we're free from prying ears."

Riftan gave a strained chuckle. "A most fitting place for a clandestine meeting."

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